November 30, 2006

Australian beef sees strong growth in Middle East

Australian beef exports to the Middle East have increased 59 percent to 1,063 tonnes, according to the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

The organisation's Middle East regional manager Ian Ross attributes the rise to favourable trade agreements, cost efficiency, high quality, and competitiveness with other meat products.

This has largely been due to the taste and tenderness of Australian beef, the nation's reputation of having one of the best food safety systems and the Australian government-supervised cattle slaughter programme for the Muslim food market, explained the MLA.

Incidentally, the food service market in the Middle East has been growing rapidly, particularly in the UAE, which has seen extraordinary growth in the hotel industry with around 200 new hotels expected within five years.

If the beef sector remained focused on consumers needs, it would continue to enjoy the strong demand and increasing share in the Middle East market, maintained David Inall, executive director of the Cattle Council in Australia.